Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with exercising in people with fibromyalgia. DesignRandomized, triple-blind, sham-controlled, clinical trial. SettingPrimary health care center. ParticipantsA total of 120 volunteer participants (N=120) between 18 and 65 years old and diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Four participants dropped out of the study for causes unrelated to the intervention. InterventionParticipants were randomized into 3 groups (active tDCS+exercising, sham tDCS+exercising, no-intervention control). The intervention was delivered in 5 sessions over 2 weeks. Main Outcome MeasuresPain intensity and referred pain area after suprathreshold pressure stimulation. ResultsPain intensity further decreased in the active tDCS group vs control (mean, −14.43; 95% confidence interval, −25.27 to −3.58) at post intervention, unlike the sham tDCS group. Both tDCS groups did not achieve greater reductions in referred pain vs control. In the active tDCS group, health status (mean, −14.80; 95% confidence interval, −23.10 to −6.50) and pain catastrophizing (mean, −6.68, 95% confidence interval, −11.62 to −1.73) improved at post intervention, and so did health status (mean, −8.81; 95% confidence interval, −17.11 to −0.51), pain catastrophizing (mean, −7.00; 95% confidence interval, −12.13 to −1.87), and depression (mean, −3.52; 95% confidence interval, −6.86 to −0.19) after 1 month. In the sham tDCS group, improvements were recorded in health status (mean, −13.21; 95% confidence interval, −21.52 to −4.91) and depression (mean, −3.35; 95% confidence interval, −6.35 to −0.35) at post intervention and in health status (mean, −8.77; 95% confidence interval, −17.06 to −0.47), pain catastrophizing (mean, −5.68; 95% confidence interval, −10.80 to −0.55), and depression (mean, −3.98; 95% confidence interval, −7.31 to −0.64) after 1 month. No intergroup differences were observed between active and sham tDCS. ConclusionsActive and sham tDCS improved health status, pain catastrophizing, and depression vs control, but pain intensity decreased only in the active tDCS group.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
